Percussion musical instrument.



K. DOMASHEWICZ. PERCUSSION MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 13. I9l5.

Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

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K. DOMASHEWICZ. PERCUSSION MUSICAL INSTRUMENT. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 13. I9I5. 1,160,392. Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2. a m m v .K. DOMASHEWICZ. PERCUSSION MUSICAL INSTRUMENT. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 13, 1915.

1,1 60,392. Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

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KONSTANTY DOMASHEVVIGZ, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

' YERCUSSION MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

Application filed January 13, 1915. Serial No. 1,908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, KoNsTANTY DOMA- snnwroz, a subject of the Czar of Russia, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new an useful Improvements in Percussion Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in percussion musical instruments, the object of the invention being to provide a musical instrument which embodies a number of separate instruments all operated by the feet, and particularly designed for accompanying an instrument held or played by the hands, so that the performer can play upon one instrument and accompany himself by means of the orchestra.

A further object is to provide a musical instrument of the character described which is inclosed within a box, and may be readily transported from place to place.

WVith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts as will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims. 7 i

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a view in front elevation illustrating my improved musical instrument in operative position. Fig. 2 is a view in horizontal transverse section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view in vertical transverse section on the line 3-:3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4: is a fragmentary view in section on an enlarged scale on the line H of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4:, taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2. Fig. Sis a similar view on the line 66 of Fig. 2, and Fig. 7 is a simi- 7-7 of Fig. 2.

lar view on the line Y 1 represents a box of general oblong recside 2 connected tangular shape having one by hinges 3 to the bottom t of the box 1, and serving the double function of a platform and a door to close the box when ever desired.

5 is a lock on the box operated by a key 6 to receive lugs 7 on the platform 2, and securely lock the latter in its closed position.

8 represents a handle on the box 1 to facilitate its transportation from place to place.

In the box 1, a vertically positioned sounding board 9 is located, and is provided with a central opening 10 and with an end opening 11.

12 represents a hitch plate secured to the sounding board and having screws 13 thereon for the attachment of strings 14. These strings 14: are variously arranged to provide notes or chords as the case may be. have illustrated four sets of these strings extending longitudinally of the sounding board across the opening 10, and thence through the opening 11 to tuning pins 15 (fin a wrest plank 16 located in the end of the 17 is a hinged door located in the end of the box, and which may be opened to expose the tuning pins 15 to permit the tuning of the instrument.

For each set of wires 14, I provide a hammer 18. These hamers 18 are pivotally supported in recessed blocks 19, and at their lower pivoted ends are provided with hammer butts 20 which are engaged by treadles 21. The treadles 21 are supported in a recessed block 22 secured to platform 2, and are pivotally connected to the block 22 by means of a pin 23. The treadles 21 have longitudinal slots 24: receiving the pin 23, and coiled springs 25 connect the treadles with the hammers 18. These coiled springs perform the double function of turning the hammer to normal position, and also holding the treadles in their position projected under the hammer butts 20, yet allow the treadles to be drawn backwardly when it is desired to swing the platform 2 to closed position, as will be hereinafter pointed out.

. The sets of wires 1% bear against frets 26 secured to soundingboard 9, and said wires are provided with spring-pressed foot keys 27 to be pressed against the wires to shorten them and vary the note or chord. These foot keys 27 have springs 28 normally holding them away from the wires 1st, and are provided with cushioning blocks 29 to engage the strings when pressed inwardly by the foot. The keys 27 is limited by flexible wires 30 connected to the lower portions of the keys and engaging vertical bars 31 between which the keys are movable.

32 and 33 represent metal tubes supported in racks 34:, and having pivoted clappers 85. These clappers 35, at their free ends, are provided with set screws 36 which operate as weights to quickly return the clapper to its outward position. Each clapper is moved outward movement of thesounding board,

by a treadle 37 connected by a flexible device 38 With the clapper, and passed over suitable idle pulleys 39 to insure a proper operation.

40 represents a This cymbal is engaged by a pivoted clapper 43 mounted in a bracket 44 and having a coiled spring 45 normally holding the same in elevated position. 7

46 is a treadle connected by a flexible dece 47 With the clapper 43, and this flexible device is also passed over idle pulleys 48 to insure the proper operation.

This is particularly true With relation to the treadles 21, Which, at their outer ends, contain letters indicating the letters or chords of the sets of strings.

The operator stands, or is seated With his feet on the platform 2, and With his hands e manipulates any instrument, accompanying himself by playing with his feet upon the several treadles. As above explained, the treadles 21 control the operation of the ing against the tubes 32 tinct bell sound, and the loud cymbal note.

y reference particularly to Fig. 2, it will be noted that When the parts are in operative position, the treadles 21 extend across the meeting edges of the platform 2, and the bottom 4 of box 1. Also, it Will be noted in Fig. 2, that When the cymbal is in edges of the platform, To close the box, it is necessary to treadles 21 longitudinally, and to move the cymbal away from the box, When the platform 2 can be swung up beside the box and locked. When the platform is returned to a horizontal position, the springs 25 will return the treadles position shown in Fig. 7, but 'it is necessary to manually slide the cymbal into its operative position.

WVhile I have described What I believe to be a preferred embodiment of my invention, I would have it understood that I do not imit myself to the precise details set forth, but consider myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall Within t e spirit and scope of the appended claims.

aving thus described my invention, What 'claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

' musical instrument,

comprising a strings on the sounding board, hammers located to strike the strings, a movable part having treadles thereon and located When in one position to engage under the hammers to operate the latter, substantially as described 1 musical instrument, comprising a sounding board, strings on the sounding board, hammers located to strike the strings, a movable the strings, and treadles supported on the platform and engaging the ammers, substantially as described.

the box,

strings on the sounding board, hammers supported in the box and adapted to strike the strings, said hammers having hammer butts at their lower ends, and treadles supported on the platform and engaging under the annner butts of the hammers, substantially musical instrument, comprising a box, hinges connecting one side of the box to the bottom of the box, whereby the side of the box may be swung to open position and constituting a platform, a sounding board in the box, strings on the sounding board, hammers supported in the box and adapted to pivoted conjected across the meeting edges of the plat- In testimony whereof I have signed my form and the box bottom, and operatively name to this specification in the presence of engage the hammers, and springs connecting two subscribing Witnesses.

the treadles and the hammers normally hold- KONSTANTY DOMASHEWIGZ. ing the hammers in retracted position, and Witnesses:

the treadles in operative connection with the C. R. ZIEGLER,

hammers, substantially as described. CHAS. E. POTTS.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). C. 

